Glucose measuring apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a glucose measuring apparatus including a pressure measurer hat measures a pressure applied to an object, a near infrared ray (NIR) irradiator that irradiates an NIR to the object if the measured pressure is greater than or equal to a preset value, an NIR receiver that receives at least one of an NIR reflected from the object, a scattered NIR, and an NIR that penetrated the object, and an analyzer that measures the blood glucose level based on the received NIR.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0148447, filed on Oct. 29, 2014 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to a glucose measuringapparatus and method, and more particularly, to a noninvasive glucosemeasuring apparatus and method using infrared ray (IR) technology.

2. Description of the Related Art

An invasive glucose measuring apparatus is used to draw blood from auser through a needle or an injector, for example, in order to measure ablood glucose level. Therefore, the user tends to experience physicalpain when the invasive glucose measuring apparatus is used. Furthermore,if the invasive glucose measuring apparatus is not sanitized, the usermay be infected with germs, viruses or bacteria.

However, a user does not tend to experience any physical pain when anoninvasive glucose measuring apparatus is used. Examples of noninvasiveglucose measuring apparatuses include a glucose measuring apparatususing IR, an electromagnetic field, exhaled breath, or a patch, forexample.

The glucose measuring apparatus using IR measures a blood glucose levelby irradiating an IR having several wavelengths to a user and analyzinga response of the user to the irradiated IR. However, since othercomponents in addition to glucose are affected by the IR, it isdifficult to precisely measure a blood glucose level. Moreover, it isdifficult to efficiently measure the blood glucose level via the glucosemeasuring apparatus using IR due to an error caused by such factors asan external pressure.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a glucose measuring apparatusand method whereby a user does not experience any pain and a bloodglucose level is precisely and efficiently measured by using anoninvasive method.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made to address the above-mentionedproblems and disadvantages, and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below.

Accordingly, an aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure is toprovide a glucose measuring apparatus and method using infrared ray(IR).

Another aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide aninfrared glucose measuring apparatus that reduces errors occurring dueto noise caused by internal components except glucose and an externalpressure and a method of measuring glucose by using the apparatus.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments. According toan aspect of the present disclosure, a glucose measuring apparatusincludes a pressure measurer that measures a pressure applied to anobject, a near infrared ray (NIR) irradiator that irradiates an NIR tothe object if the measured pressure is greater than or equal to a presetvalue, an NIR receiver that receives at least one of an NIR reflectedfrom the object, a scattered NIR, and an NIR that penetrated the object,and an analyzer that measures a blood glucose level based on thereceived NIR.

A wavelength of the NIR may be between about 0.8 μm and about 1.8 μm.

The pressure measurer may include an elastic part configured to receivethe pressure applied to the object. The pressure measurer may be furtherconfigured to measure the pressure received by the elastic part.

The pressure measurer may include a pressure sensor.

The glucose measuring apparatus may further include a pressurizerconfigured to apply the pressure to the object.

The glucose measuring apparatus may have a shape identical to a shape ofa mouthpiece that the object is close to or contacts.

The mouthpiece may include an exhalation duct through which exhaledbreath of the object passes. The analyzer may be further configured tomeasure the blood glucose level based on the received NIR and theexhaled breath of the object.

The NIR receiver may include an integrating sphere configured to collectthe received NIR. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, aglucose measuring apparatus includes a pressure measurer that measures apressure applied to an object, a first optical waveguide configured tobe close to the object, an NIR irradiator that irradiates an NIR to thefirst optical waveguide if the measured pressure is greater than orequal to a preset value, an NIR receiver that receives an attenuatedtotal reflection NIR (ATR-NIR) from the first optical waveguide, and ananalyzer that measures a blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIR.

The first optical waveguide may include a polymer.

The polymer may include at least one selected from polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), poly styrene (PS), and polycarbonate (PC).

The first optical waveguide may be replaceable in the glucose measuringapparatus.

The glucose measuring apparatus includes the first optical waveguide,which may include a tapered waveguide.

The glucose measuring apparatus may further include: a second opticalwaveguide configured to be not close to the object. The NIR irradiatormay be further configured to irradiate a portion of the NIR to the firstoptical waveguide and other portion of the NIR to the second opticalwaveguide, the NIR receiver may be further configured to further receivea control NIR from the second optical waveguide, and the analyzer may befurther configured to measure the blood glucose level based on theATR-NIR and the control NIR.

The glucose measuring apparatus may have a shape identical to a shape ofa mouthpiece that the object is close to or contacts.

The mouthpiece may include an exhalation duct through which exhaledbreath of the object passes. The analyzer may be further configured tomeasure the blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIR and the exhaledbreath of the object. According to an aspect of the present disclosure,a method of measuring a blood glucose level includes measuring apressure applied to an object, if the pressure is greater than or equalto a preset value, irradiating an NIR to the object, receiving at leastone of an NIR reflected from the object, a scattered NIR, and an NIRthat penetrated the object, and measuring the blood glucose level basedon the received NIR.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of measuringa blood glucose level includes measuring a pressure applied to anobject, if the pressure is greater than or equal to a preset value,irradiating an NIR to a first optical waveguide that is close to theobject, receiving an attenuated total reflection NIR (ATR-NIR) from thefirst optical waveguide, and measuring a blood glucose level based onthe ATR-NIR. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium is disclosed havingrecorded thereon a program for embodying a method of measuring a bloodglucose level, including measuring a pressure applied to an object, ifthe pressure is greater than or equal to a preset value, irradiating anNIR to the object, receiving at least one of an NIR reflected from theobject, a scattered NIR, and an NIR that penetrated the object, andmeasuring the blood glucose level based on the received NIR.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from thefollowing description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a principle of a glucose measuring methodusing an IR, to which the present disclosure is applied;

FIG. 2 illustrates a wavelength of an NIR irradiated by a glucosemeasuring apparatus, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate errors occurring due to an external pressurewhen measuring glucose;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a structure of a glucose measuring apparatusaccording to embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a glucose measuring apparatusaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus that irradiates a NIR to an object, an according to embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus that irradiates an NIR to an object, according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus that irradiates an NIR to an object, according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a glucose measuring apparatus that iscombined with a portable device according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus using an attenuated total reflection (ATR)-NIR, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate a structure of the glucose measuringapparatus of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C;

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate transmittances of an ATR-NIR received froma first optical waveguide and a control NIR received from a secondoptical waveguide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate a structure of a pressure measurerincluded in a glucose measuring apparatus, according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a glucose measuring apparatus that iscombined with a portable device, according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus that measures a blood glucose level of an object based on anNIR and an exhalation, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates an integrating sphere included in an NIR receiver,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus that measures a blood glucose level of an object based on anNIR and an exhalation, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a glucose measuring method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a glucose measuring method according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a glucose measuring method according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have differentforms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptionsset forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely describedbelow, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the presentdescription. A detailed description of related known configurations orfunctions incorporated herein will be omitted for the sake of clarityand conciseness.

Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify theindividual elements of the list.

The terms used herein are general terms that are currently widely usedin consideration of functions in the present disclosure but may varyaccording to such factors as intentions of those of ordinary skill inthe art, precedents, and appearances of new technologies. The applicantmay arbitrarily select terms in a particular case, and meanings of theterms corresponding to this case will be described in detail in thefollowing description. Therefore, the terms used herein may be definedbased on meanings thereof and the overall contents of the embodiments,and not based on names of simple terms.

When a part “comprises” an element in the specification, this mayindicate that the part may not exclude and may further include otherelements as long as there is no contrary description. The term “unit”used herein refers to a hardware element such as field-programmable gatearray (FPGA) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) andperforms any role. However, the term “unit” is not limited to softwareor hardware, and may be constituted to be in a storage medium that maybe addressed or may be constituted to play one or more processors.Therefore, for example, the “unit” includes elements, such as softwareelements, object-oriented elements, class elements, and task elements,processes, functions, attributes, procedures, sub routines, segments ofa program code, drivers, firmware, a microcode, a circuit, data, adatabase (DB), data structures, tables, arrays, and parameters.Functions provided in elements and “units” may be combined as thesmaller number of elements and “units” or may be separated as additionalelements and “units”.

The term “user” used herein refers to a person who desires to measure ablood glucose level of the user by using a glucose measuring apparatus,such as a diabetic.

The term “object” used herein refers to a preset body part of the userfor measuring the blood glucose level. For example, the object may be alip, a tongue, or a finger. The glucose measuring apparatus measures theblood glucose level of the user based on a response of blood or tissueincluded in the object to an NIR.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a principle of a glucose measuring methodusing an IR, to which the present disclosure is applied.

The glucose measuring method using the IR is based on IR spectroscopy.In detail, molecules may absorb an IR having a particular wavelengthaccording to a combination structure of a molecule, a shape of themolecule, a potential energy surface (PES), masses of atoms, or avibration coupling. Therefore, on an IR spectrum of a patient, atransmittance or an absorbance of a wavelength absorbed by glucose,which is illustrated in FIG. 1A, may be analyzed to measure a bloodglucose level of the patient.

Referring to FIG. 1B, an IR transmittance 100 of glucose with respect towave numbers is illustrated. For example, glucose may absorb arelatively larger amount of an IR having wavelengths of λ1, λ2, and λ3than an IR having different wavelengths.

Therefore, on the IR spectrum of the patient, transmittances of thewavelengths λ1 , λ2, and λ3 may be analyzed to measure the blood glucoselevel of the patient. Low transmittances of the wavelengths λ1, λ2, andλ3 indicate a high blood glucose level of the patient,

FIG. 2 illustrates a wavelength of an NIR irradiated by a glucosemeasuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

An IR may be classified into an NIR, a mid IR (MIR), and a far IR (FIR)according to a wavelength. For example, a wavelength between about 0.78μm and about 2.5 microns (μm) may be classified as an NIR, a wavelengthbetween about 2.5 μm and about 25 μm may be classified as a MIR, and awavelength between about 25 μm and about 250 μm may be classified as aFIR. The above-described sections classifying types of IRs are notlimited to the above embodiments and may vary according toclassification methods.

A glucose measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure uses an NIR to reduce noise caused by moisture.

When measuring a blood glucose level, a signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR)decreases as a wavelength of an IR increases. As the wavelength of theIR increases, a transmittance to water decreases, and thus noise causedby moisture inside the body increases, such as moisture inside blood andperspiration. Therefore, the glucose measuring apparatus according to anembodiment of the present disclosure uses an NIR having a sufficientlyshort wavelength among IRs. If an IR other than an NIR is used, most IRsmay be absorbed into the moisture inside the body, and thus it isdifficult for the glucose measuring apparatus to measure a blood glucoselevel.

A wavelength 200 of an NIR irradiated by the glucose measuring apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be betweenabout 0.8 μm and about 1.8 μm.

When measuring the blood glucose level, as a wavelength of an IRdecreases, the distance of the IR from a fingerprint region increases.The fingerprint region refers to a region into which an IR may beabsorbed by an individual molecule. A combination region or an overtoneregion is formed, in which as the wavelength of the IR decreases, energyincreases. Thus, the IR is absorbed by different types of molecules, orenergies absorbed by different modes are combined with one another. Forexample, as the wavelength of the IR decreases, there is a highprobability that an IR having the same wavelength will be absorbed byglucose and protein. As the wavelength of the IR increases, there is arelatively high probability that an IR having the same wavelength willbe absorbed only by glucose. Therefore, an IR having a long wavelengthmay be used rather than an IR having a short wavelength to preciselymeasure a blood glucose level. Therefore, the glucose measuringapparatus according to the present embodiment may use a sufficientlylong wavelength of an NIR between about 0.8 μm and about 1.8 μm.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate errors occurring due to an external pressurewhen measuring glucose.

A pressure applied to an object may be a cause of an error occurringwhen measuring glucose. If the object receives an external pressure, ashape of the object may be changed, and thus a depth of an IRpenetrating through the object may change. For example, if a bloodvessel receives a pressure, blood diverges from the pressure point.Therefore, a blood volume interacting with irradiated light may bereduced more than before the blood vessel receives the pressure.Therefore, a result of measuring a blood glucose level of the object maychange according to the external pressure.

For example, a depth d1 of a blood vessel through which an IR penetratesin an object 310 a to which an external pressure is not applied may bedeeper than a depth d2 of an IR penetrating through an object 310 b towhich an external pressure is applied. Therefore, although the objects310 a and 310 b are the same, a larger amount of IR may be absorbed intothe object 310 a to which the external pressure is not applied, and thusa larger amount of glucose may be measured from the object 310 b towhich the external pressure is applied. As a result, the externalpressure may be uniformly maintained to measure an accurate bloodglucose level.

FIG. 4A illustrates a glucose measuring apparatus 400 a according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 400 a according to the presentembodiment may directly irradiate an NIR to an object and measure ablood glucose level based on one absorption mode of the NIR reflectedfrom the object, a scattered NIR, and an NIR penetrating through theobject.

The glucose measuring apparatus 400 a operating in the absorption modeincludes a pressure measurer 410 a, an NIR irradiator 420 a, an NIRreceiver 430 a, an analyzer 440 a, and a processor 450 a.

All of the elements illustrated in FIG. 4A are not essential elements ofthe glucose measuring apparatus 400 a. The glucose measuring apparatus400 a may be realized with fewer or more elements than the elementsillustrated in FIG. 4A.

The pressure measurer 410 a measures a pressure applied to an object.

The pressure measurer 410 a measures a pressure generated between theglucose measuring apparatus 400 a and the object. A user may cause theglucose measuring apparatus 400 a to contact the object to reduce anerror occurring due to a noncontact of a light source with a skinsurface so as to measure an accurate blood glucose level. Therefore, thepressure is generated between the glucose measuring apparatus 400 a andthe object.

If a preset pressure measured by the pressure measurer 410 a is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 420 a irradiates anNIR to the object.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, if the pressuregenerated between the glucose measuring apparatus 400 a and the objectchanges whenever an IR is irradiated, a shape of the object may bechanged, causing a change in a blood volume, which interacts with the IRwhen the IR penetrates through the object.

Therefore, the NIR irradiator 420 a may control a time when an NIR isirradiated and thus reduce errors occurring when measuring glucose basedon the pressure measured by the pressure measurer 410 a. For example, ifthe pressure measured by the pressure measurer 410 a exceeds a presetvalue when the user causes the glucose measuring apparatus 400 a tocontact the object, the NIR irradiator 420 a may irradiate an NIR to theobject.

The NIR receiver 430 a may receive at least one of an NIR reflected fromthe object, a scattered NIR, and an NIR penetrating through the object.

The analyzer 440 a measures a blood glucose level based on the NIRreceived by the NIR receiver 430 a.

The analyzer 440 a may measure the blood glucose level based on an IRspectroscopy as described above with reference to FIG. 1. In otherwords, the analyzer 440 a may analyze an absorption depending on awavelength of the received NIR to measure the blood glucose level andanalyze a type of glucose included in the object.

The processor 450 a controls an overall operation of the glucosemeasuring apparatus 400 a, For example, the processor 450 a may executeprograms stored in a memory to control overall operations of thepressure measurer 410 a, the NIR irradiator 420 a, the NIR receiver 430a, and the analyzer 440 a.

FIG. 4B illustrates a glucose measuring apparatus 400 b according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 400 b irradiates an NIR to an object andmeasures a blood glucose level based on an attenuated total reflection(ATR)-NIR, which will be referred to hereinafter as an ATR mode forconvenience of description.

The ATR-NIR refers to a technology that may analyze a material by usinga phenomenon in which when an NIR is completely reflected in an opticalwaveguide, the NIR leaves a core and then reenters the core of theoptical waveguide. When the NIR is propagated in the optical waveguidethrough a total reflection, an evanescent wave may be generated. Theevanescent wave refers to an NIR, a part of which is propagated from aboundary surface of the optical waveguide to an outside area when beingcompletely reflected in the optical waveguide. Therefore, the evanescentwave, a part of which is absorbed into the object, may be excluded fromthe ATR-NIR in comparison with an initially irradiated NIR. If theevanescent wave is absorbed into the object, the glucose measuringapparatus 400 b may measure a blood glucose level through a spectrum ofthe ATR-NIR.

The glucose measuring apparatus 400 b operating in the ATR mode includesa pressure measurer 410 b, an NIR irradiator 420 b, an NIR receiver 430b, an analyzer 440 b, a first optical waveguide 460 b, and a processor450 b.

All of elements illustrated in FIG. 4B are not essential elements of theglucose measuring apparatus 400 b. The glucose measuring apparatus 400 bmay be realized by fewer or more elements than the elements illustratedin FIG. 4B.

The pressure measurer 410 measures a pressure applied to the object.

The pressure measurer 410 b measures a pressure generated between theglucose measuring apparatus 400 b and the object. A user may cause theglucose measuring apparatus 40 b contact the object to enable theevanescent wave to penetrate through the object so as to measure aprecise blood glucose level. Therefore, a pressure is generated betweenthe glucose measuring apparatus 400 b and the object.

The glucose measuring apparatus 400 b includes the first opticalwaveguide 460 b close to the object, to enable the evanescent wave topenetrate through the object.

If the pressure measured by the pressure measurer 410 b is greater thanor equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 420 b irradiates an NIRto the first optical waveguide 460 b.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, if the pressuregenerated between the glucose measuring apparatus 400 b and the objectis changed whenever an IR is irradiated, a shape of the object ischanged, causing a change in a depth of the object through which the IRpenetrating and a blood volume which interacts with the IR.

Therefore, the NIR irradiator 420 b may control a time when the NIR isirradiated and reduce errors occurring when measuring glucose, based onthe pressure measured by the pressure measurer 410 b. For example, ifthe pressure measured by the pressure measurer 410 b exceeds the presetvalue when the user causes the glucose measuring apparatus 400 b tocontact the object, the NIR irradiator 420 b may irradiate the NIR tothe first optical waveguide 460 b.

The NIR receiver 430 b receives an ATR-NIR from the first opticalwaveguide 460 b.

The analyzer 440 b measures a blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIRreceived by the NIR receiver 430 b.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the analyzer 440 b maymeasure the blood glucose level based on an IR spectroscopy. In otherwords, the analyzer 440 b may analyze an absorption depending on awavelength of the ATR-NIR to measure the blood glucose level and analyzea type of glucose included in the object.

The processor 450 b controls an overall operation of the glucosemeasuring apparatus 400 b. For example, the processor 450 b may executeprograms stored in a memory to control overall operations of thepressure measurer 410 b, the NIR irradiator 420 b, the NIR receiver 430b, and the analyzer 440 b.

The glucose measuring apparatuses 400 a and 400 b may measure a bloodglucose level of an object a plurality of times to calculate an averagevalue of the blood glucose levels.

The glucose measuring apparatuses 400 a and 400 b may measure a bloodglucose level by using an IR for a very short time period. Therefore, ifa pressure measured by the pressure measurers 410 a and 410 b is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiators 420 a and 420 b mayirradiate an NIR a plurality of times. In this case, the analyzers 440 aand 440 b may measure blood glucose levels respectively with respect toIRs that are irradiated a plurality of times and calculate an averagevalue of a plurality of blood glucose levels. The glucose measuringapparatuses 400 a and 400 b may measure an average value to furtheraccurately measure a blood glucose level.

FIG. 5 illustrates a structure of a glucose measuring apparatus 500according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 500 according to the present embodimentmay select one of an absorption mode and an ATR mode to measure a bloodglucose level. Alternatively, the glucose measuring apparatus 500 maymeasure the blood glucose level based on both of the absorption mode andthe ATR mode.

The glucose measuring apparatus 500 of FIG. 5 may include at least oneof the glucose measuring apparatus 400 a of FIG. 4A and the glucosemeasuring apparatus 400 b of FIG. 4B. A pressure measurer 510, an NIRirradiator 520, an NIR receiver 530, an analyzer 540, and a processor550 of the glucose measuring apparatus 500 of FIG. 5 may respectivelycorrespond to the pressure measurer 410 a, the NIR irradiator 420 a, theNIR receiver 430 a, the analyzer 440 a, and the processor 450 a of FIG.4A, and the pressure measurer 510, the NIR irradiator 520, the NIRreceiver 530, the analyzer 540, the processor 550, and a first opticalwaveguide 561 may respectively correspond to the pressure measurer 410b, the NIR irradiator 420 b, the NIR receiver 430 b, the analyzer 440 b,the processor 450 b, and the first optical waveguide 460 b of FIG. 4B.Therefore, the same descriptions of elements of FIG. 5 as those of theelements of FIGS. 4A and 4B are omitted.

In comparison with the glucose measuring apparatuses 400 a and 400 b ofFIGS. 4A and 4B, the glucose measuring apparatus 500 of FIG. 5 mayfurther include at least one of a second optical waveguide 562, amouthpiece 570, an output unit 580, an input unit 590, a memory 591, anda communicator 592,

The pressure measurer 510 may include at least one of an elastic part511 and a pressure sensor 512.

The elastic part 511 may endure a pressure applied to the object. Whenthe user causes the glucose measuring apparatus 500 to contact theobject, a pressure generated between the glucose measuring apparatus 500and the object may be applied by the elastic part 511. The pressuremeasurer 510 may measure the pressure the elastic part 511 receives. Forexample, if the pressure the elastic part 511 receives is greater thanor equal to a preset value, the pressure measurer 510 may activate apreset switch. The glucose measuring apparatus 500 including the elasticpart 511 will be described in more detail later with reference to FIGS.6A through 6C.

The pressure measurer 510 may measure a pressure applied to the objectthrough the pressure sensor 512. When the user causes the glucosemeasuring apparatus 500 to contact the object, the pressure sensor 512may measure the pressure generated between the glucose measuringapparatus 500 and the object. The glucose measuring apparatus 500including the pressure sensor 512 will be described in more detail laterwith reference to FIGS. 7A through 7C.

The glucose measuring apparatus 500 according to the present embodimentmay have the same shape as a shape of the mouthpiece 570 that the objectis close to or contacts. Since an NIR that is reflected from a humanbody and has a long wavelength includes information close to a skinsurface, a body part that is close to the skin and has many bloodvessels may be an efficient object of the glucose measuring apparatus500. For example, a lip or a tongue may be the efficient object of theglucose measuring apparatus 500.

Therefore, the glucose measuring apparatus 500 may have the same shapeas a shape of the mouthpiece 570 so as to irradiate an NIR to a lip or atongue. The mouthpiece 570 may be a housing of the glucose measuringapparatus 500 that the user may hold in place between the lips and gums.The first optical waveguide 561 may be positioned on the mouthpiece 570so as to enable the evanescent wave to be effectively absorbed into theobject.

The glucose measuring apparatus 500 according to the present embodimentmay measure a blood glucose level based on an exhalation of the userrather than an IR. The mouthpiece 570 may include an exhalation duct 571through which the exhalation of the user passes. The analyzer 540 mayanalyze, for example, a density of acetone, methyl nitrate, toluene,isoprene, carbon monoxide, 2-pentanone, acetonitrile, or acrylonitrileincluded in the exhalation of the user to measure a blood glucose level.The analyzer 540 may also be classified as a spectroscope 541 and anexhalation analyzer 540 to analyze an NIR and an exhalation.

The output unit 580 may output an audio signal, a video signal, or avibration signal and include a display unit 581, a sound output unit582, and a vibration motor 583.

The display unit 581 displays and outputs information processed by theglucose measuring apparatus 500, such as a blood glucose level measuredby the analyzer 540. The display unit 581 may also display a userinterface (UI) such as for selecting a virtual image or for setting anoperation of the virtual image.

The display unit 581 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-LCD (TFT-LCD), an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3-dimensional (3D)display, and an electrophoretic display.

The sound output unit 582 outputs audio data that is received from thecommunicator 592 or stored in the memory 591. The sound output unit 582also outputs a sound signal related to a function such as a call signalreception sound, a message reception sound or an alarm performed by theglucose measuring apparatus 500. The sound output unit 582 may include aspeaker or a buzzer, for example.

A vibration motor 583 outputs a vibration signal corresponding to anoutput of audio data or video data, such as a call signal receptionsound or a message reception sound. The vibrator motor 583 may alsooutput the vibration signal if a touch is input on a touch screen.

The input unit 590 generates and outputs a UI screen for receiving apreset command or data from the user, and receives the preset command ordata from the user through the UI screen. The UI screen output from theinput unit 590 is output to the display unit 581. However, the displayunit 581 may display the UI screen. The user may see the UI screendisplayed through the display unit 581 to recognize preset informationand input a preset command or data.

For example, the input unit 590 may include a mouse, a keyboard, and aninput unit including hard keys for inputting preset data, any of whichthe user may manipulate to input preset data or command.

The input unit 590 may be formed as a touch pad that is combined with adisplay panel included in the display unit 581, and outputs the UIscreen onto the display panel. If a preset command is input through theUI screen, the touch pad may sense the preset command to recognize thepreset command input by the user.

If the input unit 590 is formed as the touch pad, and the user touches apreset point of the UI screen, the input unit 590 senses the touchedpreset point and may transmit sensed information to the processor 550recognize a request or a command of the user corresponding to a menudisplayed at the sensed point and perform the recognized request orcommand.

The memory 591 may store various types of data for measuring a bloodglucose level and a program for testing blood, for example. The memory591 may include a storage medium of at least one type of a flash memorytype, a hard disc type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memorysuch as a secure digital (SD) memory or an XD memory, a random accessmemory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a read only memory (ROM), aprogrammable ROM (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and anoptical disk. The memory 591 may store a process, a progress process,and a test result acquired when measuring a blood glucose level.

The communicator 592 may include one or more elements that enable datacommunication to be performed between the glucose measuring apparatus500 and another device or between the glucose measuring apparatus 500and a server. For example, the communicator 592 may transmit a bloodglucose level measured by the glucose measuring apparatus 500 to aserver of a hospital.

FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus 600 that irradiates an NIR to an object, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A illustrates the portable glucose measuring apparatus 600according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A diabetic mayperiodically and continuously measure a blood glucose level, making itdesirable for the glucose measuring apparatus 600 to be sufficientlysmall and highly portable. In addition, the glucose measuring apparatus600 may be combined with a portable device such as a smartphone or awearable device, which will be described in more detail later withreference to FIG. 9.

The glucose measuring apparatus 600 may include pressure measurers 640and 650, an NIR irradiator 610, NIR receivers 620 and 630, and ananalyzer.

If a pressure measured by the pressure measurers 640 and 650 is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 610 irradiates anNIR having a plurality of wavelengths to an object. A wavelength of anNIR irradiated by the NIR irradiator 610 may be between about 0.8 μm andabout 1.8 μm. The glucose measuring apparatus 600 may use an NIR havinga wavelength between about 0.8 μm and 1.8 μm to reduce noise made bybody moisture in a fingerprint region so as to efficiently measure ablood glucose level.

The NIR receivers 620 and 630 receive at least one of an NIR reflectedfrom the object, a scattered NIR, and an NIR penetrating through theobject. For example, a part of or the entire NIR receiver 620 may bepositioned to be parallel with the NIR irradiator 610 on the glucosemeasuring apparatus 600 so as to receive an NIR reflected or scatteredfrom the object. As another example, a part of or the entire NIRreceiver 630 may be positioned to face the NIR irradiator 610 on theglucose measuring apparatus 600 so as to receive an NIR penetrating theobject.

The analyzer may analyze a blood glucose level based on the NIR receivedby the NIR receivers 620 and 630. On a spectrum of a received NIR, theanalyzer measures a high blood glucose level as a transmittance of awavelength absorbed by glucose is low.

The glucose measuring apparatus 600 may have virtually the same shape asa shape of a mouthpiece 670 to which the object, i.e., a lower lip 660,is close. For example, a housing of the glucose measuring apparatus 600may have virtually the same shape as the shape of the mouthpiece 670.The mouthpiece 670 may have generally an arch shape so as to enable thelower lip 660 of the user to be inserted into the mouthpiece 670.

FIG. 6B illustrates the glucose measuring apparatus 600 where the lip660 does not contact the mouthpiece 670. FIG. 6C illustrates the glucosemeasuring apparatus 600 where the lip 660 contacts the mouthpiece 670.

The pressure measurers 640 and 650 measure a pressure applied to theobject. For example, the pressure measurers 640 and 650 may include theelastic part 640 that receive the pressure applied to the object. As theuser causes the glucose measuring apparatus 600 to contact the object, apressure generated between the glucose measuring apparatus 600 and theobject may be applied to the elastic part 640. For example, if the usermakes the lip 660 contact the mouthpiece 670 and presses the mouthpiece670 with a hand, a pressure may be applied to the elastic part 640.

The pressure measurers 640 and 650 may measure the pressure the elasticpart 640 receive. For example, the pressure measurers 640 and 650includes a switch 650 that is turned on if the pressure the elastic part640 receives is greater than or equal to a preset value. As the pressureapplied to the elastic part 640 gradually increases, the elastic part640 may gradually shrink, and thus the switch 650 may be connected.

The NIR irradiator 610 may irradiate an NIR to a lip if the switch 650is turned on.

The glucose measuring apparatus 600 may control the amount of time toirradiate an NIR according to a pressure applied to the object, toreduce errors occurring due to a pressure that may be generated whenmeasuring a blood glucose level.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus 700 that irradiates an NIR to an object, according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure.

Specifically, FIG. 7A illustrates the portable glucose measuringapparatus 700, FIG. 7B illustrates the glucose measuring apparatus 700where a lip 760 does not contact a mouthpiece 770, and FIG. 7Cillustrates the glucose measuring apparatus 700 where the lip 760contacts the mouthpiece 770.

Comparing FIG. 7 with FIG. 6, a pressure measurer of FIG. 7 may includea pressure sensor 740 instead of the elastic part 640. However, elementsof the glucose measuring apparatus 700 of FIG. 7 may respectivelycorrespond to elements of the glucose measuring apparatus 600 of FIG. 6.That is, an NIR irradiator 710, NIR receivers 720 and 730, an analyzer,and a mouthpiece 770 may respectively correspond to the NIR irradiator610, the NIR receivers 620 and 630, the analyzer, and the mouthpiece670. Therefore, the same descriptions of the elements of FIG. 7 as thoseof the elements of FIG. 6 are omitted, for conciseness.

The pressure sensor 740 may measure a pressure generated between theglucose measuring apparatus 700 and the object. As a user causes theglucose measuring apparatus 700 to contact the object, the pressuresensor 740 may measure the pressure generated between the glucosemeasuring apparatus 700 and the object. For example, the pressure sensor740 may be positioned on the mouthpiece 770. If the user causes the lip760 to contact the mouthpiece 770 and applies pressure to the mouthpiece770 with a hand, the pressure sensor 740 may measure a pressuregenerated between the mouthpiece 770 and the lip 760.

If the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 740 is greater than orequal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 710 may also irradiate anNIR to the object.

FIG. 8A illustrates a portable glucose measuring apparatus 800, FIG. 8Billustrates the glucose measuring apparatus 800 where a lip 860 does notcontact a mouthpiece 870, and FIG. 8C illustrates the glucose measuringapparatus 800 where the lip 860 contacts the mouthpiece 870, accordingto another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Comparing FIG. 8 with FIG. 7, the glucose measuring apparatus 800 ofFIG. 8 may further include a pressurizer 880. Elements of the glucosemeasuring apparatus 800 except the pressurizer 880 may respectivelycorrespond to the elements of the glucose measuring apparatus 700 ofFIG. 7. That is, an NIR irradiator 810, NIR receivers 820 and 830, ananalyzer, the mouthpiece 870, and a pressure sensor 840 of FIG. 8 mayrespectively correspond to the NIR irradiator 710, the NIR receivers 720and 730, the analyzer, the mouthpiece 770, and the pressure sensor 740.Therefore, the same descriptions of the elements of FIG. 8 as those ofthe elements of FIG. 7 are omitted for conciseness.

The pressurizer 880 may apply a pressure to an object. For example, thepressurizer 880 may include a hinge positioned on the mouthpiece 870 toapply the pressure to the object. Therefore, differently from theglucose measuring apparatus 700 of FIG. 7, a user may not apply apressure to the glucose measuring apparatus 800 of FIG. 8.

The pressure sensor 840 measures a pressure applied to the object by thepressurizer 880. If the pressure measured by the pressure sensor 840 isgreater than or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 810 mayirradiate an NIR to the object.

The glucose measuring apparatus 800 may control the amount of time toirradiate an NIR according to the pressure applied to the object and thepressure applied to the object to reduce errors that may occur due tothe pressure when measuring a blood glucose level.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a glucose measuring apparatus 910 that iscombined with a portable device 900, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 9A illustrates an operation ofthe glucose measuring apparatus 910 that is combined with the portabledevice 900 and measures a blood glucose level, and FIG. 9B illustratesan enlarged view of the glucose measuring apparatus 910 that is combinedwith the portable device 900.

The glucose measuring apparatus 910 may be combined with the portabledevice 900 such as a smartphone or a wearable device, on one side of theportable device 900.

In FIG. 9B, the glucose measuring apparatus 910 may further includepressure measurers 950 and 960, NIR irradiators 920 and 940, an NIRreceiver 930, and an analyzer. The pressure measurers 950 and 960 mayinclude an elastic part 950 that receive a pressure applied to an objectand a switch 960 that is turned on if the pressure applied to the objectis greater than or equal to a preset value. As a pressure applied to theelastic part 950 increases, the elastic part 950 shrinks to enable theswitch 960 to be connected.

For example, if the user causes a lip 970 to contact the glucosemeasuring apparatus 910, a pressure generated between the lip 970 andthe glucose measuring apparatus 910 is applied to the elastic part 950.Due to the shrinkage of the elastic part 950, the switch 960 may beconnected, and the NIR irradiators 920 and 940 may irradiate an NIR tothe lip 970.

The NIR irradiators 920 and 940 may be realized to irradiate only an NIRhaving a particular wavelength so as to compress the glucose measuringapparatus 910. The NIR irradiators 920 and 940 may be realized toirradiate preset wavelengths for efficiently measuring a blood glucoselevel. For example, the NIR irradiators 920 and 940 may include thefirst NIR irradiator 920 that irradiates an NIR having a relativelyshort wavelength of about 0.8 μm and the second NIR irradiator 940 thatirradiates an NIR having a relatively long wavelength of about 1.8 μm.

The NIR irradiators 920 and 940 may be generally symmetrical to eachother based on the NIR receiver 930. For example, a plurality of NIRirradiators 920 and 940 may be positioned on a circular arc from the NIRreceiver 930.

The NIR receiver 930 receives at least one of an NIR reflected from theobject, a scattered NIR, and an NIR penetrating through the object, andthe analyzer analyzes a blood glucose level based on the received NIR.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus 1000 using an ATR-NIR, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9, the glucosemeasuring apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment maydirectly irradiate an NIR to an object to measure a blood glucose levelbased on one of an NIR reflected from the object, a scattered NIR, andan NIR penetrating through the object.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1000 may also irradiate an NIR to anoptical waveguide to measure a blood glucose level based on an ATR-NIR.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1000 may use an absorption mode and anATR mode together. The glucose measuring apparatus 1000 may alsoselectively use the absorption mode and the ATR mode. The absorptionmode has been described above with reference to FIGS. 6 through 9, andthus the glucose measuring apparatus 1000 using the ATR mode will now bedescribed.

FIG. 10A illustrates the glucose measuring apparatus 1000 according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1000 may include pressure measurers 1040and 1050, a film 1010 including a first optical waveguide 1014, amouthpiece 1070, an NIR irradiator 1014, an NIR receiver 1013, and ananalyzer.

The first optical waveguide 1014 and the film 1010 including the firstoptical waveguide 1014 will be described in detail later with referenceto FIGS. 11A , 11B and 11C.

If a pressure measured by the pressure measurers 1040 and 1050 isgreater than or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 1014irradiates an NIR having a plurality of wavelengths to the first opticalwaveguide 1014, such as between about 0.8 μm and about 1.8 μm. Theglucose measuring apparatus 1000 may reduce noise made by body moisturein a fingerprint region by using an NIR having a wavelength betweenabout 0.8 μm and about 1.8 μm to efficiently measure a blood glucoselevel.

The NIR receiver 1013 receives an ATR-NIR from the first opticalwaveguide 1014. An NIR irradiated from the NIR irradiator 1014 ispropagated through the first optical waveguide 1014. Therefore, anevanescent wave is generated, and thus a portion of the NIR is absorbedinto the object. Therefore, the NIR receiver 1013 may receive an ATR-NIRfrom the first optical waveguide 1014.

The analyzer may analyze a blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIRreceived by the NIR receiver 1013. In detail, on a spectrum of thereceived ATR-NIR, the analyzer measures a high blood glucose level as atransmittance of an NIR having a wavelength absorbed by glucose is low.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1000 may have virtually the same shapeas a shape of the mouthpiece 1070 that a lip 1030 is close to orcontacts. For example, a housing of the glucose measuring apparatus 1000may have virtually the same shape of the shape of the mouthpiece 1070.The mouthpiece 1070 may have generally an arch structure so as to easilyreceive insertion of the lower lip 1030.

FIG. 10B illustrates the glucose measuring apparatus 1000 where the lip1030 does not contact the mouthpiece 1070. FIG. 10C illustrates theglucose measuring apparatus 1000 where the lip 1030 contacts themouthpiece 1070.

The pressure measurers 1040 and 1050 of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C maycorrespond to the pressure measurers 1040 and 1050 of FIG. 6. Theelastic part 1040 that receives a pressure applied to the object and theswitch 1050 that is turned on if the pressure received by the elasticpart 1040 is greater than or equal to or preset value may respectivelycorrespond to the elastic part 1040 and the switch 1050 of FIGS. 6A, 6Band 6C. Therefore, the same descriptions of elements of FIGS. 10A, 10Band 10C as those of the elements of FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are omitted forconciseness.

The pressure measurers 1040 and 1050 may include a pressure sensor.Instead of the elastic part 1040 and the switch 1050, the pressuresensor may be used to measure a pressure generated between themouthpiece 1070 and the object.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C illustrate a structure of a glucose measuringapparatus 1100 as shown in FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1100 of FIG. 11A may correspond to theglucose measuring apparatus 1000 of FIG. 10A, Therefore, the samedescriptions of the glucose measuring apparatus 1100 as those of theglucose measuring apparatus 1000 of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are omittedfor conciseness.

FIG. 11B illustrates a film 1110 including a first optical waveguide1114. The film 1110 refers to an independent module that is combinedwith and separated from the glucose measuring apparatus 1100.

The first optical waveguide 1114 is close to an object so as to enablean evanescent wave to be absorbed into the object. For example, thefirst optical waveguide 1114 may be positioned on a mouthpiece 1170.

The first optical waveguide 1114 may include polymer such as at leastone of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), poly styrene (PS), andpolycarbonate (PC).

Since a depth of the evanescent wave that penetrates through the objectis very shallow, coupling between the object and the first opticalwaveguide 1114 is vital to precisely measure a blood glucose level. Inother words, when the object is direct to the first optical waveguide1114 without a gap, a blood glucose level may be precisely measured.

In general, an IR spectroscopy using an ATR uses a crystal opticalwaveguide formed of Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) or Germanium (Ge), The crystaloptical waveguide having no elasticity may be inefficiently coupled tothe object. Although the crystal optical waveguide receives a pressurefrom the object, a shape of the crystal optical waveguide is notchanged, making it difficult for the crystal optical waveguide to beclose to the object without a gap. Therefore, if the crystal opticalwaveguide is used, it is difficult for the evanescent wave to beabsorbed into the object, and an error may occur when measuring a bloodglucose level.

The first optical waveguide 1114 of the glucose measuring apparatus 1100according to the present embodiment may include a polymer to beefficiently coupled to the object, since the first optical waveguide1114 may become flexible and, therefore, is close to the object withouta gap. For example, if the user causes a lip to contact the firstoptical waveguide 1114, a pressure may be applied to the first opticalwaveguide 114 formed of polymer, and thus a shape of the first opticalwaveguide 1114 formed of a polymer may be changed. Therefore, the firstoptical waveguide 1114 formed of a polymer may be directly coupled tothe lip. The film 1110 including the first optical waveguide 1114 mayinclude a polymer.

The first optical waveguide 1114 formed of a polymer may be replaced inthe glucose measuring apparatus 1100 by being separated from the glucosemeasuring apparatus 1100 to be replaced with a new first opticalwaveguide formed of polymer after being used for a preset period. Forexample, the first optical waveguide 114 may be combined with orseparated from the glucose measuring apparatus 1100, or the film 1110including the first optical waveguide 1114 may be combined with orseparated from the glucose measuring apparatus 1100.

If the first optical waveguide 1114 formed of polymer is replaceable,abrasion and sanitary problems caused by continuous use may beprevented. The user may also continuously use a main body of the glucosemeasuring apparatus 1100 and replace only the first optical waveguide1114 so as to decrease maintenance costs.

The first optical waveguide 1114 may include a tapering waveguide 1140having a thinly cut cladding. An evanescent wave may be furtherefficiently absorbed into the object by the thinly cut cladding, and ablood glucose level may be further precisely measured.

FIG. 11C illustrates an evanescent wave 1180 and an ATR-NIR 1190 in thefirst optical waveguide 1114,

An NIR irradiated by an NIR irradiator 1111 is propagated through atotal reflection in the first optical waveguide 1114. The NIR 1190advances from a core 1114 having a high refractive index toward acladding 1160 having a low refractive index. A total reflection occursif an incidence angle is greater than or equal to a threshold angle.

The evanescent wave 1180 refers to an NIR, a portion of which ispropagated outside the core 1114 when a total reflection occurs. Theevanescent wave 1180 may advance to a very shallow depth 1150 outsidethe core 1114.

If the evanescent wave 11180 is propagated outside the core 1114 to beabsorbed into the object, a transmittance of a wavelength of the NIR1190 that is completely reflected is less than that of a wavelength of afirst NIR 1170 that is not completely reflected. Therefore, an NIR, aportion of which is absorbed into the object by the evanescent wave 1180and which is propagated through a total reflection in the first opticalwaveguide 1114, is referred to as an ATR-NIR.

An analyzer may analyze the ATR-NIR 1190 and measure a blood glucoselevel based on an IR spectroscopy.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1100 according to the present embodimentmay compare an ATR-NIR received from the first optical waveguide 1114with a control NIR received from a second optical waveguide 1115 tofurther efficiently measure a blood glucose level.

The control NIR received from the second optical waveguide 1115 refersto an NIR that is not absorbed into the object and is propagated fromthe second optical waveguide 1115 through a complete reflection.Therefore, an ATR-NIR received from the second optical waveguide 1115may be a control group, and an ATR-NIR received from the first opticalwaveguide 1114 may be an experimental group.

In detail, referring to FIG. 11B, the glucose measuring apparatus 1100according to the present embodiment may include the second opticalwaveguide 1115, which is not close to the object. For example, the firstoptical waveguide 1114 may be positioned on an outer surface of themouthpiece 1170, and the second optical waveguide 1115 may beispositioned in the mouthpiece 1170. Alternatively, the film 1110 mayincludeincludes the first and second optical waveguides 1114 and 1115,and the second optical waveguide 1115 may beis coated with a polymer soas to be separated from the object. Therefore, although an evanescentwave is generated, the control NIR received from the second opticalwaveguide 1115 does not include information about the object.

The NIR irradiator 1111 irradiates a portion of an NIR to the firstoptical waveguide 1114 and an other portion of the NIR to the secondoptical waveguide 1115, and freely controls a ratio between an NIRirradiated to the first optical waveguide 1114 and an NIR irradiated tothe second optical waveguide 1115. The ATR-NIR received from the secondoptical waveguide 1115 corresponds to a control group, and thus the NIRirradiator 1111 irradiates a small amount of NIR to the second opticalwaveguide 1115. For example, the NIR irradiator 1111 irradiates 90% ofan NIR to the first optical waveguide 1114 and 10% of the NIR to thesecond optical waveguide 1115.

NIR receivers 1112 and 1113 receive an ATR-NIR from the first opticalwaveguide 1114 and a control NIR from the second optical waveguide 1115.

The analyzer measures a blood glucose level based on an ATR-NIR and acomplete reflection NIR.

FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate a transmittance of an ATR-NIR received froma first optical waveguide 1230 and a transmittance of a control NIRreceived from a second optical waveguide 1220, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, in FIG. 12A, an analyzer further precisely measures a bloodglucose level based on a difference between a transmittance 1221 of acontrol NIR and a transmittance 1231 of an ATR-NIR. The transmittance1221 of the control NIR includes noise caused by an absorption of an NIRinto a material except the object. Therefore, the transmittance 1231 ofthe ATR-NIR is subtracted from the transmittance 1221 of the control NIRto increase an SNR.

In FIG. 12B, the analyzer considers a ratio between an NIR irradiated tothe first optical waveguide 1230 and an NIR irradiated to the secondoptical waveguide 1220 to calculate the difference between thetransmittance 1221 of the control NIR and the transmittance 1231 of theATR-NIR. For example, if an NIR irradiator irradiates 90% of an NIR tothe first optical waveguide 1230 and 10% of the NIR to the secondoptical waveguide 1220, the analyzer nine-fold amplifies gain of thecontrol NIR received from the second optical waveguide 1220 to calculatea difference of the control NIR from an ATR-NIR. As another example, ifthe NIR irradiator irradiates 50% of an NIR to the first opticalwaveguide 1230 and the other 50% of the NIR to the second opticalwaveguide 1220, the analyzer does not amplify the gain of the controlNIR received from the second optical waveguide 1220 and may calculatethe difference of the control NIR from the ATR-NIR.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C illustrate structures of pressure measurersincluded in the glucose measuring apparatus 1100 of FIGS. 11A, 11B and11C, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13A illustrates a film 1300 including a first optical waveguide1330. The film 1300 of FIG. 13A may further include pressure measurers1310 and 1320 in comparison with the film 1110 of FIG. 11B. Therefore,the same descriptions of the film 1300 as those of the film 1110 of FIG.11B are omitted for conciseness.

FIG. 13B illustrates the pressure measurers 1310 and 1320 before anobject is close to the film 1300. FIG. 13C illustrates the pressuremeasurers 1310 and 1320 after the object is close to the film 1300.

In comparison of the pressure measurers 1310 and 1320 of FIGS. 13A , 13Band 13C with the pressure measurers 1040 and 1050 of FIGS. 10A , 10B and10C, the pressure measurers 1040 and 1050 of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C arepositioned in the mouthpiece 1070. However, the pressure measurers 1310and 1320 of FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are positioned in the film 1300.

Since the object is close to a first optical waveguide 1330, the glucosemeasuring apparatus 1100 may measure a pressure generated between thefirst optical waveguide 1330 and the object to control a start time ofan NIR.

If a user causes the first optical waveguide 1330 to contact the object,the pressure generated between the object and the first opticalwaveguide 1330 may be applied to the elastic part 1310. As the pressureapplied to the elastic part 1310 increases, the elastic part 1310 maygradually compress, and thus the switch 1320 may be connected.

If the pressure measured by the pressure measurers 1310 and 1320 isgreater than or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 1111 mayirradiate an NIR to the object. For example, if the switch 1320 isturned on due to the compression of the elastic part 1310, the NIRirradiator 1111 may irradiate an NIR to the object.

FIGS. 14A and 14B illustrate a glucose measuring apparatus 1410 that iscombined with a portable device 1400, according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 14A illustrates an operationof the glucose measuring apparatus 1410 that is combined with theportable device 1400 and measures a blood glucose level, and FIG. 14Billustrates an enlarged view of the glucose measuring apparatus 1410that is combined with the portable device 1400.

In FIG. 14A, the glucose measuring apparatus 1410 may be combined withthe portable device 1400 such as a smartphone or a wearable device at aside of the portable device 1400.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1410 may include pressure measurers 1420and 1430, an NIR irradiator, NIR receivers, and an analyzer. Thepressure measurers 1420 and 1430 of FIG. 14B may correspond to thepressure measurers 950 and 960 of FIG. 9. Therefore, the samedescriptions of the pressure measurers 1420 and 1430 as those of thepressure measurers 950 and 960 of FIG. 9B are omitted for conciseness.

For example, in FIG. 14A, if a user causes a lip 1440 to contact theglucose measuring apparatus 1410, a pressure generated between the lip1440 and the glucose measuring apparatus 1410 is applied to the elasticpart 1420. Due to a compression of the elastic part 1420, the switch1430 may be connected, and the NIR irradiator may irradiate an NIR to afirst optical waveguide 1450. The NIR receivers receive an ATR-NIR fromthe first optical waveguide 1450, and the analyzer analyzes a bloodglucose level based on the received ATR-NIR.

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus 1500 that measures a blood glucose level based on an NIR andexhalation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1500 of FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C furtherincludes an exhalation duct 1520 in comparison with the glucosemeasuring apparatus 1000 of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C. The other elementsof the glucose measuring apparatus 1500 of FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15Crespectively correspond to the elements of the glucose measuringapparatus 1000 of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C. In detail, pressure measurers1540 and 1550. an NIR irradiator 1511, an NIR receiver 1513, a firstoptical waveguide 1514, a film 1510, and a mouthpiece 1570 of theglucose measuring apparatus 1500 of FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C mayrespectively correspond to the pressure measurers 1040 and 1050, the NIRreceiver 1011, the NIR receiver 1013, the first optical waveguide 1014,the film 1510, and the mouthpiece 1070 of the glucose measuringapparatus 1000 of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C. Therefore, the samedescriptions of these aspects of the glucose measuring apparatus 1500 ofFIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C as those of the glucose measuring apparatus 1000of FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are omitted for conciseness.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1500 according to the present embodimentmay further efficiently measure a blood glucose level based on an NIRand exhalation.

Specifically, the mouthpiece 1570 may include the exhalation duct 1520through which exhalation passes. For example, a user may hold themouthpiece 1570 in a mouth of the user and cause a lip 1530 contact thefirst optical waveguide 1514 and exhalation to flow into the exhalationduct 1520.

An analyzer may include a spectroscope and an exhalation analyzer toanalyze a combination of an NIR and exhalation.

That is, the exhalation analyzer may receive the exhalation of the userthrough the exhalation duct 1520 and analyze a concentration of acetoneor ketone included in the exhalation of the user. For example, anexhalation of a diabetic may include acetone due to a partial oxidationof fat, and thus a high concentration of acetone may indicate severediabetes. The exhalation analyzer may additionally monitor several typesof gases to increase a correlation between a gas concentration anddiabetes. Therefore, the exhalation analyzer may measure a blood glucoselevel based on acetone included in an exhalation and concentrations ofother gases.

If a pressure measured by the pressure measurers 1540 and 1550 isgreater than or equal to a preset value, the NIR irradiator 1511irradiates an NIR to the first optical waveguide 1514.

The NIR receiver 1513 receives an ATR-NIR from the first opticalwaveguide 1514.

The spectroscope analyzes the NIR received by the NIR receiver 1513based on an IR spectroscopy.

FIG. 16 illustrates an integrating sphere included in an NIR receiveraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The NIR receiver may include an integrating sphere 1600 that collectsNIRs. The integrating sphere 1600 may intensively collect received NIRsat one place based on reflections and scattering of the NIRs. Theintegrating sphere 1600 may be used in both of an absorption mode and anATR mode.

At least one of an NIR reflected or scattered from an object, an NIRpenetrating through the object, and an NIR propagated through a firstoptical waveguide is propagated into the integrating sphere 1600 througha collection port. NIRs are reflected and scattered in the integratingsphere 1600 according to incidence angles and propagated to the outsidethrough a detection port 1620. The NIRs propagated to the outsidethrough the detection port 1620 are collected at a detector 1640 throughan aperture 1630.

The integrating sphere 1600 is efficient when an amount or gain of anNIR received by the NIR receiver is not sufficient. Analyzers mayfurther efficiently measure a blood glucose level through the NIRscollected at the detector 1640.

FIGS. 17A and 17B illustrate an operation of a glucose measuringapparatus 1700 that measures glucose based on an NIR and exhalationaccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1700 may measure a blood glucose levelbased on exhalation. For example, the glucose measuring apparatus 1700receives exhalation of a user through a mouthpiece 1740 including anexhalation duct 1710, and an exhalation analyzer may measure a bloodglucose level based on a concentration of acetone or ketone included inthe exhalation.

As shown in FIG. 17B, the glucose measuring apparatus 1700 may irradiatean NIR to a lip or a tongue to measure a blood glucose level. Theglucose measuring apparatus 1700 may include a first NIR irradiator 1750and a first NIR receiver 1751. The first NIR irradiator 1750 may bepositioned on a mouthpiece 1740, which is close to the lip or thetongue, to directly irradiate an NIR to the lip, and the first NIRreceiver 1751 may be positioned on the mouthpiece 1740, which is closeto the lip or the tongue, to receive the NIR reflected from the lip. Ifa pressure measured by a first pressure measurer is greater than orequal to a preset value, the first NIR irradiator 1750 irradiates an NIRto the lip or the tongue. The first pressure measurer may include anelastic part or a pressure sensor as described above with reference toFIGS. 6A through 9C. A spectroscope may measure a blood glucose levelbased on the NIR received by the first NIR receiver 1751.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1700 may measure the blood glucose levelbased on an ATR-NIR and may include a first optical waveguide 1764positioned on the mouthpiece 1740 to be close to the lip or the tongue.The glucose measuring apparatus 1700 may also include a film 1760including the first optical waveguide 1764, a second NIR irradiator 1761that irradiates an NIR to the first optical waveguide 1764, and secondNIR receivers 1762 and 1763 that receive the NIR from the first opticalwaveguide 1764. If a pressure measured by a pressure measurer is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, the second NIR irradiator 1761irradiates an NIR to the first optical waveguide 1764. The pressuremeasurer may include an elastic part or a pressure sensor as describedabove with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 15C. The spectroscope maymeasure a blood glucose level based on the NIR received by the NIRreceiver 1751.

As another example in FIG. 17A, the glucose measuring apparatus 1700 mayirradiate an NIR to a finger to measure a blood glucose level. Theglucose measuring apparatus 1700 may include a trigger 1730, a third NIRirradiator 1731, and third NIR receivers 1732 and 1733. The trigger 1730may be a housing of the glucose measuring apparatus 1700 that may bepulled with a finger or contact the finger. The trigger 1730 may alsoinclude third pressure measurers 1734 and 1735 including the elasticpart 1734 that receives a pressure generated between the trigger 1730and the finger when a user pulls the trigger 1730 with the finger. Thethird pressure measurers 1734 and 1735 may also measure the pressure theelastic part 1734 receives. For example, the third pressure measurers1734 and 1735 may include the switch 1735 that is turned on if thepressure the elastic part 1734 receives is greater than or equal to apreset value.

If the pressure measured by the third pressure measurers 1734 and 1735is greater than or equal to the preset value, the third NIR irradiator1731 irradiates an NIR to the finger. The NIR receiver 1732 may receivethe NIR reflected from the finger. Alternatively, the NIR receiver 1733may receive the NIR that penetrates through the finger. The spectroscopemay measure a blood glucose level based on the NIR received by the NIRreceivers 1732 and 1733.

The glucose measuring apparatus 1700 may include an integrating sphere1720 that intensively collects received NIRs at one location based onreflections and scattering of the NIRs. The integrating sphere 1720 maybe used in both of an absorption mode and an ATR-NIR mode.

FIG. 18 illustrates a method 1800 of measuring glucose according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The method 1800 has some of the same steps as those described inreference to the glucose measuring apparatuses 400 a and 500. Therefore,the same descriptions of the method 1800 as those of FIGS. 1 through 17are omitted for conciseness.

Referring to FIG. 18, in step 1810, a pressure applied to an object ismeasured. That is, a pressure an elastic part receives may be measuredor a pressure may be measured through a pressure sensor. Step 1810 maybe performed by the pressure measurers 410 a and 510.

The method 1800 may further include directly applying the pressure tothe object by use of the pressurizer 513.

In step 1820, a determination is made as to whether the measuredpressure is greater than or equal to a preset value. If it is determinedin step 1820 that the measured pressure is less than the preset value,the method returns to step 1810 and the pressure applied to the objectis re-measured.

If it is determined in step 1820 that the measured pressure is greaterthan or equal to the preset value, an NIR is irradiated to the object instep 1830. A wavelength of the NIR may be between about 0.8 μm and about1.8 μm. Steps 1820 and 1830 may be performed by the NIR irradiators 420a and 520.

In step 1840, at least one of an NIR reflected from the object, ascattered NIR, and an NIR penetrating through the object is received.Step 1840 may be performed by the NIR receivers 430 a and 530.

In step 1850, a blood glucose level is measured based on the receivedNIR. In detail, in the method 1800, the received NIR may be analyzed,and the blood glucose level may be measured based on an IR spectroscopy.Step 1850 may be performed by the analyzers 440 a and 540.

FIG. 19 illustrates a method 1900 of measuring glucose according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

The method 1900 has some of the same steps as those described inreference to the glucose measuring apparatus 400 b and 500. Therefore,the same descriptions of the method 1900 as those of FIGS. 1 through 17are omitted for conciseness.

Referring to FIG. 19, in step 1910, a pressure applied to an object ismeasured. That is, a pressure an elastic part receives may be measuredor a pressure may be measured through a pressure sensor. Step 1910 maybe performed by the pressure measurers 410 b and 510.

If it is determined in step 1920 that the measured pressure is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, an NIR is irradiated to a first opticalwaveguide close to the object in step 1930. The first optical waveguidemay include polymer such as at least one of PMMA, PS, and PC. The firstoptical waveguide may be replaceable in a glucose measuring apparatus.The first optical waveguide may also include a tapering waveguide. Step1930 may be performed by the NIR irradiators 420 b and 520.

In step 1940, an ATR-NIR is received from the first optical waveguide.Step 1940 may be performed by the NIR receivers 430 b and 530.

In step 1950, a blood glucose level is measured based on the ATR-NIRreceived in step 1940. Step 1950 may be performed by the analyzers 440 band 540.

FIG. 20 illustrates a method 2000 of measuring glucose according toanother embodiment of the present disclosure.

Most of steps 2010 and 2020 respectively correspond to steps 1910 and1920, and thus a description thereof will be omitted for conciseness.

If it is determined in step 2020 that a measured pressure is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, a portion of an NIR is irradiated to afirst optical waveguide close to an object, and an other portion of theNIR is irradiated to a second optical waveguide that is away from theobject, in step 2030.

Step 2040 includes receiving an ATR-NIR from the first optical waveguideand a control NIR from the second optical waveguide, and is performed bythe NIR receivers 430 b and 530.

In step 2050, a blood glucose level is measured based on the ATR-NIR andthe control NIR by the analyzers 440 b and 540.

According to a glucose measuring apparatus and a glucose measuringmethod according to embodiments of the present disclosure, noise made bybody components except glucose and errors occurring due to an externalpressure may be reduced and a blood glucose level is more accuratelymeasured.

The blood glucose level of the present disclosure is further efficientlymeasured based on an IR and exhalation.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be written as computerprograms and may be implemented in general-use digital computers thatexecute the programs using a non-transitory computer readable recordingmedium,

Examples of the computer readable recording medium include magneticstorage media such as ROM, floppy disks, and hard disks, etc, andoptical recording media such as CD-ROMs or DVDs.

While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to thefigures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure should not be defined asbeing limited to the embodiments, but should be defined by the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A glucose measuring apparatus comprising: apressure measurer that measures a pressure applied to an object; a nearinfrared ray (NIR) irradiator that irradiates an NIR to the object ifthe measured pressure is greater than or equal to a preset value; an NIRreceiver that receives at least one of an NIR reflected from the object,a scattered NIR, and an NIR that penetrated the object; and an analyzerthat measures a blood glucose level based on the received NIR.
 2. Theglucose measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein a wavelength of the NIRis between about 0.8 microns (μm) and about 1.8 μm.
 3. The glucosemeasuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure measurer comprises:an elastic part that receives the pressure applied to the object,wherein the pressure measurer further measures the pressure received bythe elastic part.
 4. The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe pressure measurer comprises a pressure sensor.
 5. The glucosemeasuring apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a pressurizer thatapplies the pressure to the object.
 6. The glucose measuring apparatusof claim 1, wherein the glucose measuring apparatus has an identicalshape to a shape of a mouthpiece that is adjacent to or contacts theobject.
 7. The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 6, wherein themouthpiece comprises an exhalation duct through which exhaled breath ofthe object passes, wherein the analyzer further measures the bloodglucose level based on the received NIR and the exhaled breath of theobject.
 8. The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 1, wherein the NIRreceiver comprises an integrating sphere that collects the received NIR.9. A glucose measuring apparatus comprising: a pressure measurer thatmeasures a pressure applied to an object; a first optical waveguideconfigured to be close to the object; a near infrared ray (NIR)irradiator that irradiates an NIR to the first optical waveguide if themeasured pressure is greater than or equal to a preset value; an NIRreceiver that receives an attenuated total reflection NIR (ATR-NIR) fromthe first optical waveguide; and an analyzer that measures a bloodglucose level based on the ATR-NIR.
 10. The glucose measuring apparatusof claim 9, wherein the first optical waveguide comprises a polymer. 11.The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 10, wherein the polymercomprises at least one of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), poly styrene(PS), and polycarbonate (PC).
 12. The glucose measuring apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the first optical waveguide is replaceable in theglucose measuring apparatus.
 13. The glucose measuring apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the first optical waveguide comprises a taperedwaveguide.
 14. The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: a second optical waveguide configured to be separated fromthe object, wherein the NIR irradiator further irradiates a portion ofthe NIR to the first optical waveguide and another portion of the NIR tothe second optical waveguide, the NIR receiver further receives acontrol NIR from the second optical waveguide, and the analyzer furthermeasures the blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIR and the controlNIR.
 15. The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 9, wherein the glucosemeasuring apparatus an identical shape to a shape of a mouthpiece thatis adjacent to or contacts the object.
 16. The glucose measuringapparatus of claim 15, wherein the mouthpiece comprises an exhalationduct through which exhaled breath of the object passes, wherein theanalyzer further measures the blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIRand the exhaled breath of the object.
 17. The glucose measuringapparatus of claim 9, wherein a wavelength of the NIR is between about0.8 microns (μm) and about 1.8 μm.
 18. The glucose measuring apparatusof claim 9, wherein the pressure measurer comprises an elastic part thatreceives the pressure applied to the object, wherein the pressuremeasurer measures the pressure applied to the elastic part.
 19. Theglucose measuring apparatus of claim 9, wherein the pressure measurercomprises a pressure sensor.
 20. The glucose measuring apparatus ofclaim 9, further comprising: a pressurizer that applies the pressure tothe object.
 21. The glucose measuring apparatus of claim 9, wherein theNIR receiver comprises an integrating sphere that collects the receivedNIR.
 22. A method of measuring a blood glucose level, the methodcomprising: measuring a pressure applied to an object; if the pressureis greater than or equal to a preset value, irradiating a near infraredray (NIR) to the object; receiving at least one of an NIR reflected fromthe object, a scattered NIR, and an NIR that penetrated the object; andmeasuring the blood glucose level based on the received NIR.
 23. Amethod of measuring a blood glucose level, the method comprising:measuring a pressure applied to an object; if the pressure is greaterthan or equal to a preset value, irradiating a near infrared ray (NIR)to a first optical waveguide that is close to the object; receiving anattenuated total reflection NIR (ATR-NIR) from the first opticalwaveguide; and measuring a blood glucose level based on the ATR-NIR. 24.The method of claim 23, wherein the first optical waveguide comprises apolymer.
 25. The method of claim 23, wherein irradiating the NIRcomprises irradiating a portion of the NIR to the first opticalwaveguide and another portion of the NIR to a second optical waveguidewhich is separated from the object, wherein receiving the NIR comprisesfurther receiving a control NIR from the second optical waveguide, andwherein the blood glucose level is measured based on the ATR-NIR and thecontrol NIR.
 26. A non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumhaving recorded thereon a program for embodying a method of measuring ablood glucose level, the method comprising: measuring a pressure appliedto an object; if the pressure is greater than or equal to a presetvalue, irradiating a near infrared ray (NIR) to the object; receiving atleast one of an NIR reflected from the object, a scattered NIR, and anNIR that penetrated the object; and measuring the blood glucose levelbased on the received NIR.